Associations between perceived parent behaviors and middle school student fruit and vegetable consumption

To examine whether (1) student perceptions of parent behaviors explain variations in fruit and vegetable consumption, (2) self-efficacy mediates this relationship, and (3) perceived home fruit and vegetable availability moderates this relationship.

A cross-sectional survey.

Classrooms in 3 middle schools in 2 northeast Georgia counties.

366 middle school students. The response and participation rates were 59% and 56%, respectively.

Perceived authoritative parenting, perceived parent control, perceived parent modeling, perceived parent support, self-efficacy, perceived fruit and vegetable availability, and fruit and vegetable consumption.

Hierarchical multiple regression; P <.05.

Perceived parent modeling, perceived parent support, self-efficacy, and perceived fruit and vegetable availability were significant predictors of fruit and vegetable consumption. The relationship between perceived parent support and fruit and vegetable consumption was mediated by self-efficacy. The relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and both perceived parent modeling and support was moderated by perceived fruit and vegetable availability.

Parents appear to moderately influence middle school student fruit and vegetable consumption. Educators might focus on improving home fruit and vegetable availability and student self-efficacy, as well as parent support and modeling. The level of availability might indicate where efforts should focus for enhancing parent behaviors.